alum

Stephanie Chan '13

A lot of college students agonize over finding their first job. Some feel that they have to be someone or know someone to get a good offer. But you’ll find your time at Susquehanna leads you through a metamorphosis that transforms you into that someone employers want to get to know.

The opportunities for growth are limitless, and it all starts with the liberal arts foundation and the Central Curriculum. The knowledge I gained in these classes really gave me an edge. They allowed me to explore things outside of my majors and even comfort zone.

Yes, employers expect you to know about Finance or your specific business field. But when you can demonstrate knowledge and skills beyond what’s expected, you become even more valuable to that company. Today, I find it easy to talk to my colleagues, many of whom are Brazilian, at JPMorgan Chase about a variety of subjects, from European cultures to ethics in business.

And much of my knowledge comes from spending an entire semester in another country as part of the GO London program. Going on tours of European companies and seeing first-hand how the rest of the world does business is something you can’t learn from a textbook. These experiences, along with Susquehanna’s small size, really work to a student’s advantage.

At Susquehanna, you get much more individual attention in and out of the classroom. You have so many opportunities to have compelling conversations with professors and alumni. They mentor you and help you expand your network in the business world. You leave Susquehanna with amazing experiences, networks and developed interpersonal and critical thinking skills. All things you’ll need to successfully navigate any post-graduate world.

Many people ask me why a girl from New Orleans chose Susquehanna. I tell them that even on paper, I could see the opportunities I could gain at Susquehanna, ones that perhaps not even an Ivy League school could provide me. As an alumna, working at a highly respected firm in a very competitive field, I can say I made the right decision.